Breaking the Form: Tara Sidhoo Fraser on Memory, Disability, & the Craft of Memoir

On this episode of Characters Like Us, I speak with author Tara Sidhoo Fraser about crafting memoirs that break the mold and speak truth to the complexities of identity, disability, and memory. Tara opens up about the nonlinear process behind her powerful memoir When My Ghost Sings, exploring what it means to write about amnesia, queerness, and disability without centering recovery as the end goal. We talk form, inspiration, and the importance of making space for stories that don’t fit the usual narrative. This is a conversation about writing from the margins—with honesty, artistry, and care. 🎙️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on inclusive storytelling! Follow Tara on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tara_sidhoo_fraser/ and check out her memoir WHEN MY GHOST SINGS on our Bookshop Page! https://tinyurl.com/CLUBookshopTara ⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️ 00:00 - Introduction 01:23 - Numbered Narratives 04:28 - Tara's Writing Journey 10:45 - Writing During the Pandemic 17:26 - Writing Process for 'When My Ghost Sings' 26:31 - The Impact of Amnesia 29:38 - Stereotypes Surrounding Amnesia and Disability 31:15 - Physical Changes and Identity 36:29 - Connecting with Your Past Self and "Crip Time" 46:36 - Writing a Memoir: Memory and Perspective 48:24 - Advice for Writers 50:00 - Upcoming Projects 51:42 - Closing This video comes with captions and a transcript. Characters Like Us is a podcast dedicated to exploring the craft of diverse and inclusive writing in the books that we read and write. 💫 Enjoyed this episode? 💫 Join our Patreon / https://patreon.com/CharactersLikeUs Buy Tara's book on our bookshop / https://bookshop.org/shop/clu 🌻 Follow Geetanshi 🌻: Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/gee.tan.shi/ YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/@Geetanshi-Sharma 📚 Follow Characters Like Us 📚: Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/characterslikeuspod/ Business Email: [email protected] Music by Hafijur Rahman from Pixabay. Sound Effects from Pixabay.